FALL 2008June 8, 2008
Since the last Quarterly Meeting, the Committee for Caring has met with Woodbury Meeting in three monthly business meetings, one called meeting for business, and several committee meetings. We have had two meetings with self-selected groups from Woodbury at the Mullica Hill meetinghouse. Members from the Committee for Caring have met several times with Woodbury in regular worship meetings.
There are no evil persons at Woodbury, nor are they under attack by frightful creatures. There is, however, a culture of partisanship and individualism which prevents unity in the Spirit. There is much talent and energy at Woodbury Meeting, but this is overcome by a feeling of distrust. They do not expect the best from themselves or others.
It is not our intent to “straighten out” Woodbury Meeting, but to walk faithfully in love and respect for its members, answering to the Spirit of God in the situation, making straight a highway for our God, that His healing may be revealed. But we are not there simply to listen and “care.” We are there because the quarter has for too long stood aloof while newcomers and long-standing Quakers endure rolling waves of mutual abuse. The ultimate healing and preservation comes from God, but we are, as best we are able to discern and act, part of that healing and preservation. To refrain from acting due to misplaced humility would do nothing but continue the quarter’s neglect. We are not being passive, but we are being careful and deliberate, not pushing for dramatic confrontations or one-shot solutions, but seeking to foster movement within the meeting. There is much yet to be done.
The committee is firm in its belief that this is nothing that God can’t handle. Healing may come quickly or it may be a year or more. We are united in staying as long as we are called to this service in the expectation that there is an ocean of light that will overcome the ocean of darkness.
Tom EtheringtonWe are called to obedient love even though we do not feel very loving. Often it is through the performance of loving acts that loving feelings can be built up in us. We may start with small, perhaps very tiny steps. It is only as we begin to allow Christ’s love to act in and through us that it can become part of us.—Sandra Cronk
convenor, Committee for CaringRETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Monday, August 11, 2008 at 10:27 PM
